She went to the second year of grammar school and to music school, where she played the piano. She liked listening to the songs of songbirds even more. Every year I rebuilt the hatcheries for these birds. In the spring, the whole family watched the first fledglings of these beautiful creatures.
It happened that she spotted the last chick from the nest, still almost featherless. Its siblings had already left the warm nest. The smallest one was surrounded only by white soft down. He failed to take off, literally falling awkwardly from the tree.
Sweet and merciful as she was, she took the tiny creature in her arms. She found a way to feed the baby.
She picked up mosquitoes, flies and other insects from her neighbour's raspberry bushes. The youngster watched her with interest. Her left hand was both a safe shelter and a teaching point from which to focus. With her right hand, she hunted for insects and offered them, still freshly caught, to the little "chirp", who quickly and with great appetite consumed them. Amazingly, the little bird never got into her hand. It turned to the far edge of her hand and did its business.
He soon mastered his foraging tactics. His great saviour and teacher now only had to hold his hand out to the delicious raspberry fruit, where tiny insects drank the plant juices. These now instantly became prey for the little glutton. Then, imaginative as she was, she plucked a dandelion leaf. It reminded her of a bird's beak. She covered the water with it and held it in front of the open beak. She used this "gadget" to help the little bird to drink.
She got him used to peeled sunflower seeds. The chick grew and got strong feathers. He was ready to learn to take off. My junior high school teacher raised her hands and released him, encouraging him to fly. This time the flight attempt was successful. She allowed him freedom, she did not cage him or restrict him in any other way.
The day came when he flew off into the wide world. But he has not forgotten our Home.
When Evica was in the garden, he flew in and sat on her long hair. They shared cherries and the worms in them.
Nature and people, together on one planet.
This year, Eva had her English revision exam. But she certainly made the exam, the universal language between man and nature. She managed to be trusted by a wild creature, our warbler, the songbird of the forest.
Eva Pavlič, 7 Feb 2025
English (UK) 
Slovenščina 
Italiano 
Magyar